Liverpool are ready to let long-serving midfielder Lucas Leiva and will listen to any offers for him, according to reports.

The 28-year-old wasn’t included in the match-day squad as the Reds defeated Stoke City 1-0 on Sunday.

It is that stark scenario which placed the strain on his relationship with Rodgers during talks last week, although excluding him altogether from his plans was a bold step by the manager who seems determined to rule with something of an iron fist this season.

But they would be short of cover in midfield if Lucas departs and Rodgers will have to consider his options. It remains to be seen whether Inter boss Roberto Mancini will re-ignite his interest.

As well as Can and Henderson, Liverpool also have James Milner and Joe Allen in their midfield with a number of promising youngsters in the reserves including highly-rated Jordan Rossiter.

Unlike Lazar Markovic and Mamadou Sakho, who also didn’t make Brendan Rodgers’ matchday 18, Lucas didn’t travel to the Britannia Stadium and remained on Merseyside.

The Brazil global is some weeks behind most of his team-mates in terms of fitness having joined pre-season late because of his participation in the Copa America.

Lucas was back at Melwood on Monday to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Welsh outfit TNS alongside the likes of Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings, Markovic, Emre Can, Alberto Moreno, Sakho and Divock Origi.

The report also says that the fee Liverpool are demanding is £8 million with two years left on the Brazilian’s contract although no clubs are mentioned as being interested at the moment.